Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Avoid Panic Attack with Increased B6 and Iron!

A groundbreaking study conducted in 2013 by Okayama University Medical School may have made a invaluable discovery that could help anticipate, or even prevent, the onset of panic and hyperventilation attacks in at risk individuals.

Potential Cause For Anxiety And Panic Attacks


A known common cause for attacks is low levels of serotonin in the body. This neurotransmitter plays a major role in regulating feelings of happiness and well-being, so a deficiency can easily result in increased anxiety and depression. Serotonin itself is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan, a process that is known to rely heavily on the added components of vitamin B6 and iron. Researchers at Okayama University decided to delve deeper into the relationship between those key elements and occurrences of emergency level panic attacks.

In their study, researchers observed the levels of B6 and iron in patients who visited the emergency room due to severe panic attack or panic induced hyperventilation. They compared their measurements with a control group of individuals with healthy levels of both, and found that both vitamin B6 and iron levels were significantly lower in the group who suffered from the attacks than in the control group.

These findings present a groundbreaking step in understanding potential triggers of panic attacks. 

LAGNIAPPE INFO:

What are Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Attacks?

GAD - Individuals with this disorder experience “persistent and excessive” feelings of anxiety towards everyday situations and concerns. These feelings are difficult or impossible to control and can escalate in severity. With escalating levels of severity, GAD can manifest into feelings of overwhelming dread and terror. This is categorized as panic disorderGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder are conditions that affect close to 13 million adults in the US. *1 
Panic Attack - a sudden period of intense fear which causes incredible physical and mental distress. Attacks most often consist of racing or pounding heart rate, trembling, shaking, and difficulty breathing. This can result in fast or deep gasping to intake air, and cause hyperventilation. At times, these attacks can be serious enough to require emergency attention. *2
Both of these kinds of attacks can sometimes be linked to specific triggers like a person, place, or object, but most commonly occur unpredictably and without warning. The National Institute of Mental Health describes how “worry about panic attacks, and the effort spent trying to avoid attacks, cause significant problems in various areas of the person’s life.” For those who suffer from these kinds of attacks, it can be difficult to see a way out.


Tuesday, May 8, 2018

What is as Dangerous as 20 Cigarettes a Day?

Would you smoke 20 cigarettes a day?
Me neither!  

Do you clean with traditional "grocery store" cleaning products? 
I used to.

Just recently, a European lung study revealed that cleaning with products that contain bleach, ammonia, and quats is as bad for our lungs as smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day. 

20 Cigarettes a day!   ----> Twen-ty-cig-a-rettes-a-day!

Thank goodness for Melaleuca's EcoSense Cleaning line!  I am so grateful for the wonderful improvements in health and safety it provides!


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Okay, okay, this is all great information. And here is the link to learn more about the study.  But maybe you have the same questions I did.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞



Sunday, April 1, 2018

Toxic Bodies





You can learn to Follow a Greener Path with small but significant changes.

First, make a wise decision about where you shop for your everyday consumables.


Sunday, March 4, 2018

Let's Stop Poisoning Our Children

How safe is your home?
Of chemicals commonly used in homes 150 have been linked to, allergies, birth defects and cancer.
Cleaning products (which people usually think of first) are not the only problem - after analyzing 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products 884 were found to be toxic. That is 1 in 3!

According to Philip Landrigan M. D. of Mount Sinai Medical Center, the most pressing health issues for children today are:

1. the rise of asthma
2. the rise in childhood cancers
3. the rise in central nervous system disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, and other learning disorders as the result of environmental neurotoxins
4. the effects of endocrine disruptors*

All these are related to toxic chemical exposure in the home.  Let's Stop Poisoning our Children!

The GOOD NEWS
Fortunately, for every almost every toxic product there is a safe alternative available. There are a number of ethical conscientious companies now offering household and personal care products that are safe and more natural. They work just as well or better than of the shelf brands, and in many cases actually cost less. So, there's really no reason to risk the health of your children or yourself any longer.

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children yet we all use hundreds of chemicals everyday, supposedly to keep our homes clean and safe.  These same products are destroying our health and more importantly the health of our children. As I talk to more and more concerned parents I learn that most people still use chemicals which would be banned or aggressively controlled in the work place.

Let's stop poisoning our children. The first step can be as simple as requesting a Free Home Safety Consultation today from one of the Moms or Dads with EveVenture.
Sometimes a solution is as quick and easy as learning where to shop for safer products.

Sources:
  1. Philip Landrigan M. D. of Mount Sinai Medical Center
  2. Children's Environmental Health Center 
  3. Graphic Source: RMBarry.com

Monday, February 12, 2018

Make-up Products Can Hurt You

The popularity of makeup products today seems to be greater than ever before in human history. Business Wire states that the global cosmetics market reached a staggering $460 billion in 2014 alone. Experts anticipate that the global market for beauty products will continue to rise at an annual rate of 3.8% in the next five years. 
We’re all witnesses to just how big the beauty industry is. Just thinking about the huge number of beauty products we see today can be overwhelming. Beauty is taking over even social media sites like YouTube that had a total of 123,164,115 beauty subscribers in 2015. These numbers speak for themselves, and what they’re telling us is that we are becoming a society of makeup junkies. 
Humans have used makeup for at least 5000 years for the purpose of enhancing features that are thought of as attractive and hiding perceived flaws such as the first signs and symptoms of wrinkles. And although there is nothing wrong with wanting to beautify yourself occasionally, makeup becomes a problem when it creates psychological dependence.
study carried out by The Renfrew Center Foundation found that almost half (44%) of all
women said that they felt unattractive without makeup. But the problem with relying on makeup to build your self esteem does not end there. More and more medical practitioners, scientists, and consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with how makeup affects our physical health.
The Dangers Of Makeup Products

Most makeup products, from foundations to setting powders, contain a great number of chemicals, some of which may even be dangerous to your health. The way certain chemicals in makeup interact with our skin can lead to skin dryness, flaking, and even allergic reactions. 
But what is concerning is the fact that these chemicals have the ability to penetrate the deeper layers of our skin and enter our bloodstream. If these chemicals happen to be toxic, then chronic exposure to them presents a significant health risk.
Makeup has been a realistic danger for quite some time now. A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science found that the bones of Japanese children from the Edo period (1603 -1867) contained levels of toxic metals a dozen times higher than the safety threshold. 
The researchers said that the cause was the use of white facial powder by breastfeeding women that contained dangerous levels of lead and mercury. Another study from 1991 collected samples of kohl eye makeup from third-world countries found that many samples had dangerous levels of lead as well. 
But things don’t seem to be much different these days. A recent study released by Breast Cancer Fund (BCF) for their project The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that almost half of all kids’ Halloween makeup products tested contained banned and harmful chemicals. 

Some of The Harmful Chemicals Found By The BCF Study

Cadmium

A soft, bluish-white metal that studies have linked to kidney failure, bone disease, and even cancer. Researchers believe that cadmium becomes toxic at levels well below limits set forth by the World Health Organization. 
The FDA conducted a test of heavy metals found in popular cosmetics (see here). Cadmium was found in several Estee Lauder, Jafra Cosmetics, l’Oreal, Yves Rocher, Revlon, Proctor and Gamble, Mary Kay, and Jane & Co products including powder eye shadows, cream eye shadows, eye primers, and foundations (source). 

Toluene

A paint-thinner that studies suggest can damage the nervous system and lead to neurological disorders such as dementia. Toluene is found in several nail products as well as some hair dyes (more information here)

Benzophenones

Used in products such as foundation to protect against UV light. An article published in Dermatitis, states that benzophenones can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes and
even anaphylactic shock. Benzophenones are found in lip balms, foundation, nail polish, fragrances, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and baby sunscreens (more information here).

Parabens

These chemicals are added to cosmetic products to prevent bacteria overgrowth. Parabens are potential endocrine disruptors and one study even found the presence of these chemicals in breast cancer tissue raising further concerns. Parabens are commonly used in perfumes and colognes, but can also be found in shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions (more information here)

Lead

A heavy metal present in a great number of makeup products, especially those with more pigment such as foundation, eye shadow, lipstick, and eyeliner. Lead is highly toxic when it entered the bloodstream and was found to cause neurological disorders, but also infertility and cancer. 
Lead is most commonly found in lip products including lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip liners. It is also found in hair dyes, mascaras, eyeshadows, blushes, and foundations. In the FDA lab study, lead was found in measurable or trace amounts in every product tested except for baby powder and most lotions (see the full results here)

Talc

A mineral used in powder makeup such as pressed powder foundation and blush but also in liquid foundation. The mineral was found to be often contaminated with asbestos which is a known carcinogen. There has been a large number of studies linking talc powder to ovarian cancer according to a review published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention.

Talc is most famously found in baby powders, but it is also present in deodorants, feminine hygiene products, powdered eyeshadows and foundations, lipsticks and facemasks (more information here).

Conclusion

While most of these chemicals don’t come in amounts that would be scientifically proven to cause adverse health outcomes, chronic exposure to toxins from daily use of makeup may be a reason for concern as explained by Julia R. Barrett for Environmental Health Perspectives. 
If you want to protect your health and your good looks, I suggest that you use Melaleuca products. You can get more info by texting me 832 -766-2172 or check out this website: Follow a Greener Path.
If you want to stick with your current choices, at least read labels carefully and reduce the amount of makeup you use to protect your health.


This post was inspired by a fantastic article by Sophie Addison, a skincare expert. It has been fact-checked and edited by Soutanes..
http://theheartysoul.com/makeup-unhealthy/?t=THS&W=CON

Monday, June 26, 2017

Don't Let Bugs Bug YOU

Hate those pesky summer bugs? Don't let them bug YOU.  

I use a Natural Insect Repellent. I keep it with me almost all the time. 
But Essential Oils are also a great approach to keeping creepy crawlers off of us. And, they do smell so very nice! 

If you want to add essential oils to your anti-bug strategy, here's what to do!

Grab a lint roller and the essential oils listed below. 
The lint roller should be the kind with adhesive layers. Take it with you when you go outside.  Roll it on your clothing every once in a while. You will be surprised to see what you pick up in very short amounts of time. 
You can spray essential oils on your clothing and rub it into your skin to help to keep away the ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies while you are outside.  
Here are 5 essential oils that repel bugs.
1. Lavender – This smells sweet to us but bugs absolutely hate it. It works on mosquitoes, flies and other insects.  
2. Melaleuca Oil - A classic defense against bugs! 
3. Eucalyptus – According to the Journal of Medical Entomology, Eucalyptus extract can reduce tick bites and infections. 
4. Lemon – This essential oil can work against fleas and other bugs. Dilute it slightly and spray it on your clothing and skin.  
5.  Lemongrass – This essential oil comes from tropical lemongrass and has a citrusy sent. It is a natural flea and tick repellent and can be sprayed directly on the skin.  

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Kids and Vertical Surface Work -- It's A Good Thing!

When I was in elementary school I loved being called up to do work on the board. I volunteered to erase the board, wash the board, and clap the erasers clean on the outside bricks of the school building.
When we visited and Aunt Ethel and Uncle Burt I couldn't wait . . . . . . they had a smooth, slate blackboard that I was allowed to write on if I was vey polite and behaved myself.  Believe you me, I was very polite and behaved myself.  It was such a treat!
 And painting on an easel? That was a much anticipated art activity! 
Little did I consider the developmental benefits of writing, painting, and working on a vertical surface. But as a therapist recently shared with me, there are many benefits for children when they work on vertical surfaces!  Here are eight of those benefits.

1) Shoulder/Elbow Stability

The use of larger vertical surfaces such as chalkboards, marker boards, and Smart boards allows children to use bigger arm movements that encourage strength and flexibility throughout the joints and muscles of the upper extremities.  Even the hand gets a hefty boost of strengthening as it works against gravity to keep making vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines.

2) Bilateral Coordination

Have you ever tried to use a stencil while working on a vertical surface?  I used a stencil to create a border on my kitchen wall. — there was a bit of a learning curve and it was not easy!  This is a tough skill!  For kids, tracing an object, using a stencil, or even just stabilizing their paper to write on an upright surface requires the use of both hands (one to trace, one to hold) AND it requires proprioception and strength to hold the object that is being traced!

3) Midline Crossing

When a child is writing or drawing across a large vertical surface, he has to cross the midline of his body with his dominant hand to reach all of the spaces.  Play on vertical surface surface gets both hands working together which promotes bilateral integration. 

4) Wrist Extension/Pencil Grasp

Vertical surface writing naturally puts the wrist in an extended position which encourages hand stabilization for better pencil grasp and control of writing utensils.

5) Visual Attention and Hand-Eye Coordination

Working on a vertical surface brings the task closer to the child’s eyes.  This helps children who have difficulty maintaining visual attention to activities and can help to encourage hand-eye coordination, as the child has a better view of what they are doing!

6) Spatial Awareness

When a child works on a large vertical surface, it makes directional terms (up, down, left, right) much easier to understand because the child can relate the words to his very own body.

7) Sensory

Working at a vertical surface may be beneficial for kids who prefer activity over sitting (no matter how engaging the activity).  This is easy to relate to because we all work better if we can change positions.

8) Core Strength and Posture

Working in a kneeling or standing position at an upright surface provides a healthy dose of core strengthening. There’s no slumping or leaning on the back of the chair – the only choice is to engage those core and back muscles to maintain upright posture. Good head and neck position during play promotes visual skill development such as scanning and tracking.  
There are many ways to play and work using a vertical surface. Here are some of my
favorites:
-Paint w/ paintbrushes or paint rollers
-Decorate a window w/ window clings
-Play w/ magnets on the refrigerator
-Paint w/ shaving cream or finger paint on an easel or table turned on its side.
-Play w/ felt shapes and pictures on a felt board
-Draw & color w/ chalk on a chalkboard . . . . & then erase!
-Wash windows & using a squigee
-Help wash the car
-Make your own DIY Removable Lego Wall.  Building w/ Legos on a vertical surface is a whole new world. Not only fun, but also great for all of the skills listed above!



sources:
http://theinspiredtreehouse.com/motor-skills-and-more-working-on-a-vertical-surface/

http://paigehays.net/vertical-surfaces/

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-neurological-disorders/38898-use-vertical-plane-activities-for-students-with-disabilities/

http://lalymom.com/kids-activities-on-a-vertical-plane/